Utah Valley head men’s soccer coach Kyle Beckerman has announced the additions of four players who will join the team ahead of the 2024 spring season. Joining the squad are a pair of midfielders, one defender, and a goalkeeper.

The four players who will join the squad are midfielders Issaka Salifu (Accra, Ghana/Azusa Pacific) and David Noguera (Sandy/RSL Academy), defender Blake Bastian (Missouri State/Saratoga Springs), and goalkeeper Ben Williams (Lehi/Salt Lake CC).

Salifu, a grad transfer from Accra, Ghana spent the 2023 season at D-II Azusa Pacific after spending the prior three seasons at JUCO Tyler College in Texas. Salifu prepped at the same high school as Lucas Valois, the Monteverde Academy in Florida. In his one season at APU, Salifu netted two goals and added four assists in 13 games played.

Noguera, a native of Sandy, prepped at the RSL Academy. While at the academy, Noguera also had the opportunity to play for the Honduras U-17 National Team and train with the Real Monarchs. Noguera also went on a trial training period with Belgian top-flight side Standard de Liege. With RSL Academy, Noguera helped lead the U-15 team to the MLS Next Cup title in 2021.

Bastian — who played his high school soccer at Westlake — spent the 2023 season at Missouri State, but did not appear in any games. Prior to MSU, Bastian played two seasons at JUCO powerhouse Salt Lake CC, where he helped lead the Bruins to a pair of SWAC titles and two NJCAA semifinal berths. Bastian started all 17 games for the Bruins in 2022, scoring two goals and adding another assist in 988 minutes played.

Williams — who played high school soccer at Skyridge — started all 23 games in goal for Salt Lake CC last season, leading the Bruins to a third-straight NJCAA semifinal berth. Williams posted a 0.62 goals-allowed average, allowing just 13 goals in nearly 1,900 minutes played. Williams is a two-time NJCAA All-American recipient and a two-time All-SWAC honoree.

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